title: Reading acuity in albinism: evaluation with MNREAD charts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The MNREAD reading acuity (RA) charts use continuous-text reading to measure (1) RA, ie, the smallest size of print that the patient can resolve; (2) maximum reading speed (MRS); and (3) critical print size (CPS), ie, the smallest print that the patient can read with maximum speed. This project used the MNREAD charts to evaluate reading performance in children and adults with albinism to determine the smallest print size recommended to facilitate effortless reading.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 63 subjects with albinism were administered the MNREAD test to determine the critical print size for effortless reading. The subjects read continuous, high-contrast text print until they could no longer discern the words. The MRS and CPS were determined with the MNREAD protocol. Presence or absence of nystagmus and strabismus was recorded. Distance visual acuity was measured with ETDRS charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 25 male and 38 female subjects with a median age of 16 years. Median MRS was 150 words per minute. The mean CPS was 0.84 logMAR, notably larger than the mean RA of 0.53 logMAR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MNREAD acuity charts can be used to determine functional reading ability and critical print size for effortless reading in individuals with albinism. The amount of enlargement in print size can be used in educational and vocational recommendations to facilitate reading.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hogue
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Holleschau
authors.forename: Beth R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kutzbach
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: C Gail
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016117:Albinism, Ocular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016115:Albinism, Oculocutaneous / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011932:Reading; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*